A brief visit from a friend

One of my good friends from college went and moved off to D.C. after she graduated. Leaving me behind, who would have thought. We went to D.C. during college for a visit and stayed with our advisor's brother-in-law who is an amazing environmental lobbyist. He let us stay at his office/house/museum for the week. I am not kidding, he purchased this house because it was within walking distance to the Capitol, and he collects political memorabilia. There are literally more pieces in his home then many small museums in the U.S., which I am guessing his insurance provider loves. The lobbyist showed us around D.C. and even helped us get a meeting with the House Speaker on higher education issues. The lobbyist quizzed us on issues and policy and told us stories of his work there over the past 30 years.

We came back to Wisconsin to finish up our Senior year of college and began planning our next steps in life. One day my friend announced, she was going back to D.C., she had an offer that she had to pursue. My friend left because our new lobbyist friend thought that she had potential and asked her to join his team. Since then she has been working with the little guys and trying to make a difference. Although I still enjoy reports back from her about how silly folks are in Washington and how much nicer the people in the Midwest, stories of trying to find the perfect apartment, and all the amazing restaurants within a stones throw away. Watch out D.C., we will entice her back to this area sooner or later, despite your divine cuisine.

She tries to visit as much as possible, and I feel a little bad that I only visited her once in the last two years. Worse, when I visited her it was a work trip so we only spent a day together. However, this week us Wisconsinites were pleased to have her back and we went to our old stomping grounds to catch up.

There certainly was a sense of nostalgia in the visit. In college we would head downtown and act like crazy kids, now we were civilized adults who sat down and chatted about jobs and family. Unfortunately, some of those family trees we talked about were slightly complicated and necessitated the use of a napkin and a flow chart. This week I am going to be thankful of the times I have with my friends and the memories we share. A day like this comes along every once and...well...two years.

Think Pink Sessions

I have been blessed with many gifts in life. I try to volunteer as much as possible, and in a world where the focus is always on getting ahead, sometimes it is wonderful to take some time and help someone else.

Amy Clark Photography is now a member of the Think Pink network, a group of photographers who have come together to help breast cancer survivors and those who have rallied along side them to celebrate their life.

From the Think Pink website: "Any individual that has been diagnosed with breast cancer or completed treatment within the past 12 months qualifies for a Think Pink Session. Sessions are available to document the fight before or during treatment or to celebrate the victory when treatment is completed."

Clients will receive a complimentary session, (20) small prints, an 11 x 14 wall portrait and a discount off additional print orders. In addition, a DVD slide show will be created with all photographs taken during the portrait session.

Any additional funds that are raised through donations are used to support the Eric R. Beverly Family Foundation, a group that promotes awareness and resources to families that are affected by breast cancer. For friends or family members of individuals who have set up a portrait session, 15% of the profits will go to the foundation. Some of the fantastic things that they provide are financial support for treatment of the uninsured and under insured, providing support networks for not only the survivors of breast cancer, but the loved ones who are supporting them.

If you know someone who could benefit from these services, or are looking for a participating photographer in your area, please go to the Think Pink website for more details, or contact myself for more information.

Fireworks & the 4th

The 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays. I love that there is no other time during the year when so many people in the community come together in a park and ooh and ahh over fireworks, eat yummy treats and are entertained by local musicians. When I was young I loved walking in the middle of the usually busy streets as a crowd after the fireworks shows were done. But most of all I loved the fireworks.

As the 4th has come to a close and the neighbors have stopped lighting up the firecrackers in the street, I thought I would share some of my favorite ohhs and ahhs from this evenings show. Until next year.

I Survived :: Country USA 2008

This post is for all those country fans out there. Can I have a yee-haw! Five days of non-stop country music and festivities in little old Oshkosh, Wisconsin. This year we were graced by headliners such as Sugarland, Dierks Bently, Kenny Chesney, and Brooks & Dunn.

Just a few photos to share from the event, I still do not know what to make of the Osh Vegas sign. It gives a bit of a false impression of the RV park it was housing on the festival campgrounds. And it would not be Wisconsin without a deer on a truck hitch.

The next photo is of Miranda Lambert rocking out on stage, it is no wonder that girl won Album of the Year at the CMA's. A random bit of trivia, I am only four days older then her, so that would make her a Scorpio too. The photo after that is my artistic rendition of Sugarland --aka I was standing waaaay in the back and tried to make the best of it :-D

My proudest moment of the festival was the downpour rain that came through during the Kenny Chesney concert. The storm was crashing down and folks were being pelted, most ran to tents, but with thousands in attendance a good portion began running to our cars. Folks decided the exit tent was a good place to hang out, meanwhile hundreds of folks were trying to get out and blocked by the folks under the tent. Pushing did not work, so a group trampled one of the fences to let the masses out. Take about excitement!